Microsoft Authenticator App - Endless Loop Asking For Code

Hi Rob,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I don't have another method to authenticate my login. When I try to choose another sign-in option, the only ones available are with the Authenticator.

I don't think I have a backup of the App either.

Is there another way. There must be a way to login without the Authenticator?

Many thanks

Mark

Mark,

The reason you create additional verification methods while initially setting up an account is to ensure this doesn't happen, since without them it becomes difficult to recover as you've discovered.

There are methods provided to attempt to recover from this, but since the first one you're supposed to try doesn't work properly for someone already logged into an account, I can't link you directly to that. So instead, I'll send you to the page for aid with the account recovery form that provides a link to the Sign-in Helper Tool in a gray 'Tip' box near the top of the page.

Help with the Microsoft account recovery form - Microsoft Support

Ignore any ads for a free trial of Microsoft 365, Microsoft is getting dumb and sticking these everywhere, even on pages for confused people needing help like this one.

I've never tried any of these, but in some cases an account simply can't be recovered, which is why Microsoft constantly badgers people without added verification methods or potentially old, outdated information to ensure these are up to date. You now know why. I have both email (Gmail account for phone) and phone number (text) as well as a 25-charcter Recovery code on paper I created 10 years ago, specifically so this can't happen to me.

Hope it works for you.

Rob

In general, this looping problem is due to the fact that your account believes you've previously had an authenticator app installed, which commonly occurs when a smartphone is either lost or replaced with a new phone without restoring the backup.

Since you don't indicate whether this is truly your first installation or a replacement, I'll simply state that you should likely login using other verification methods like password, alternate phone (text) or email and then use the Security, Advanced security options to remove any existing 'Send sign-in notification' item, since this is where any existing authenticator information is stored.

Of course, if you had a previous authenticator working and the replacement is simply due to a new phone, it might be best to try and recover the backup from your account if that was ever created, since it will contain not only your Microsoft, but also any other 3rd-party username/password and/or TOTP code information previously stored in the backed-up app.

Back up and recover account credentials in the Authenticator app - Microsoft Support

Since these instructions are related to a Microsoft Personal account typically used by wither consumers or very small businesses with a single user, the instructions are different for Work or School accounts, since those typically have IT support administrator or help desk operations who perform some of these duties for their users instead. In that case, you should be contacting those support individuals, but if you happen to be a small business with an Azure account where you're also the administrator, though the issue and solution are similar, the precise method(s) used to remove and reconfigure a Microsoft Authenticator app are different based on the product and the management interface used to manage it. Contacting whateve3r Microsoft Support group specifically supports the product you're using is the best path to take in these cases where no local IT support actually exists.

Rob